The Basics: How Scoring Works

At the end of each end (when all bowls have been delivered), the team or player whose bowl is closest to the jack scores points. They score one point for every bowl that is closer to the jack than the nearest bowl of the opposing side. The other team scores nothing for that end.

For example: if Red has three bowls closer to the jack than Blue's nearest bowl, Red scores 3 shots for that end. This process repeats until the game is complete.

How Games Are Won

Games can be structured in two main ways:

  • Set number of ends: The player or team with the most shots at the end of a fixed number of ends wins (e.g. 18 or 21 ends).
  • Set score: The first player or team to reach a target score wins (e.g. 21 shots in singles).

If scores are tied at the end of regulation, an additional end (or ends) is played to determine the winner.

Key Rules You Need to Know

The Mat

Every end begins with the mat being placed on the centre line of the rink. The mat line is the front edge of the mat. The player delivering the jack must have at least one foot on or behind the mat when delivering. A minimum distance must be maintained between the mat line and the position of the jack — usually 23 metres outdoors.

The Jack

The jack must be delivered to a minimum length and must come to rest within the rink boundaries. If the jack is delivered out of bounds or fails to reach the minimum length, the opposing player re-delivers the jack. If the jack is knocked out of the rink boundary during play, a dead jack is declared and the end is replayed.

Dead Ends

An end is declared dead when the jack is driven out of the boundaries of the rink or when another defined infringement occurs. Dead ends do not count toward the score and are replayed. The same team holds the mat for the replayed end.

Touchers

A toucher is a bowl that makes contact with the jack during its original delivery. Touchers are marked with chalk and remain live even if they end up in the ditch at the end of the rink. Unmarked bowls that end up in the ditch are dead and removed from play.

Measuring

When it's not clear which bowl is closest to the jack, a physical measure is taken. Most clubs carry a set of calipers or a flexible tape for this purpose. In competitive play, the third (or vice-skip) typically carries out the measure. Both teams must agree on the result.

Common Etiquette Rules

Lawn bowls has a strong culture of respect and sportsmanship. While these aren't always written laws, they are taken seriously at all levels of the game:

  • Stand still and silent when a player on either team is delivering their bowl.
  • Stand behind the mat when it's not your turn to bowl at the mat end.
  • Stand behind the head at the head end — don't crowd the jack.
  • Don't walk across other rinks while a player is in their delivery.
  • Acknowledge good bowls from your opponent — it's considered good sportsmanship.
  • Agree on the score at the end of each end before moving the mat or jack.

Where to Find the Official Laws

The definitive rulebook for lawn bowls is published by World Bowls, the international governing body. Their Laws of the Sport are freely available on their website and cover every situation you're likely to encounter in competitive play. Your national bowls association (e.g. Bowls England, Bowls Scotland, Bowls Australia) may also publish local additions or modifications for domestic competition.